Lovely jubbly! Raise a glass of Tittinger to a cushty evening out at the theatre, with the Trotters!

Having grown up watching the Christmas specials of Only Fools And Horses on TV and almost all of the 64 episodes screened over the 22 years, it was screened, I was very much looking forward to seeing how this classic sitcom, a favourite of mine and much of the nation, had been turned into a two-hour musical! A daunting task for the writers to accomplish, or so I thought! In 1996 a single episode was watched by 24 million people, it was going to be a hard act to follow.

Tom Major (Rodney) and Sam Lupton (Del Boy)

Only Fools and Horses is a British television sitcom that was created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom from 1981 to 1991, with sixteen sporadic Christmas specials aired until the end of the show in 2003.

Sam Lupton (Del Boy)

The original series was written by John Sullivan, previous works included television sitcoms, Citizen Smith & Just Good Friends. There is an American saying that “Only fools and Horses work for a living”. John Sullivan had previously worked on the comedy `Citizen Smith ‘and had used, Only Fools and Horses, as the title for one of the episodes. Only Fools and Horses was soon to be his masterpiece. Working class Londoner Sullivan had worked on a street market and came up with the idea of an entrepreneurial market trader and his cockney family. Del Boy was born!

Tom Major (Rodney) and Nicola Munns (Cassandra)

John Sullivan died in 2011, having considered a musical based on Fools and Horses, for some time before. Actor, performer, comic and presenter, a man of many great talents, Paul Whitehouse was approached by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, to help write the musical script and Only Fools and Horses, The Musical was quickly conceived. The comic genius that is Paul Whitehouse shone through in many of the musical numbers and he ended up doing much more than writing the script. He collaborated with the late Chas Hodges, of Chas & Dave fame, on some musical numbers, but was solely responsible for several others, such as, Not Now Grandad. The upbeat song Where Have All the Cockneys Gone, co-written with Chas Hodges, is a high point, as it soon progresses into the east end classic ditty, Any Old Iron, seamlessly.

Glorai Acquaah – Harrison ( Mrs Obooko/Wedding Fitter)

The first series had an instrumental theme tune, but Sullivan wrote the theme & lyrics for the now iconic opening theme tune and closing number, Hookey Street. Cockney duo Chas & Dave were set to perform them, but were unavailable, so Sullivan sang both songs himself!

Sam Lupton (Del Boy) and Georgina Hagen (Raquel)

South London suburb Peckham has become synonymous with the Trotter family, but as the show became more popular, it became more expensive to film in London, so the outdoor location shots were moved to Bristol, after four years. The Trotter`s three wheeled, rather worn and scruffy, Reliant Regal Supervan, emblazoned with, “Trotters Independent Trading Co, New York, Paris & Peckham, is legendary. Many different vehicles were used during filming but for those fans of the show, looking to snap a selfie with the Robin, there is a model, which was used in the show at the British Motor Museum, reinforcing its position as one of our most famous motor vehicles, alongside James Bond`s Aston Martin DB5 & ‘Lady Penelope’s` Thunderbirds, Pink Rolls Royce.

Richard J Hunt, Peter Watts, Sam Lupton & Georgina Hagen

Will he, wont he! The audience were teased several times, waiting for what was voted, the funniest sitcom moment ever, when Del Boy falls behind the bar, unaware the bar flap, he had moments before been leaning on, has since been left open by the barman. The packed-out Derngate auditorium, had to wait until the second act, before seeing legendary figure Del Boy (Sam Lupton) recreate this memorable scene. It was well worth waiting for.

Craig Berry ( Boysie) and Nicola Munns ( Marlene)

The show was a laugh a minute, there were so many one – liners, which had the audience in fits of loud raucous laughter. Gloria Acquaah – Harrison`s (Mrs Obooko/Wedding Fitter) rendition of the classic Simply Red song, `Holding Back The Years` was stunning. Georgina Hagen`s (Raquel), solo, ‘The Girl’, written by Jim Sullivan, was memorable. Having been a great fan of Bill Withers for many years, I really enjoyed hearing the song, Lovely Day. There were also several references to how Peckham and other London suburbs are changing. Boysie is advised not to move from Peckham, because in twenty years’ time, house prices will have shot up and many householders, would be living inside a financial investment. References to the changing population of the city are also made with a wonderful rap for modern times and strong Italian presence. London is no longer just Pearly Kings & Queens & Cockney slang.

Richard J Hunt ( Dating Agent/Theatre Announcer) and Sam Lupton

The revolving set shifts the action without interruption from the Nags Head Pub to the Trotters’ high-rise council flat in Peckham, South London. It’s all cushdy, as Del Boy would say The set was sparse but very effective, I particularly like The Nags Head A small bar area and a little seating, but the sense of space was believable. I could almost see myself, enjoying a pint with the characters on stage.

Peter Watts, Darryl Paul & Bradley John

Many of the characters, their voices, mannerisms, and movements are so familiar to us, that I was expecting to be slightly disappointed, but it was not to be. Del Boy (Sam Lupton) and Rodney (Tom Major) were both very close in all aspects to the original television performances of David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. Sam Lupton delivered a Del Boy that made no attempt to depart from David Jason’s depiction, always giving the television fans what they wanted and impressing me very much with his impersonation. Tom Major (Rodney) has an uncanny likeness to Lyndhurst, perfecting the voice and character of the television Rodney to a tee, unbelievably, this musical marks Tom`s professional debut.

Sam Lupton (Del Boy) & Tom Major (Rodney)

The cast was tremendous, with each performer pulling out memorable moments throughout. The timing and laid – back demeanour of Trigger (Lee VG), the laconic scouse drawl of Denzil (Bradley John) and the strained but solid love of Boysie (Craig Berry) and Marlene (Nicola Munns). The Tadpole Song, chronicling their desperate desire to have children, was both funny and touching. Boycie’s (Craig Berry) loud laugh almost brought the house down and Trigger’s (Lee VG) constant inability to remember that Dave, was in fact Rodney, was very funny, no matter how many times the joke was told! His portrayal of Trigger was excellent.

This musical is a feel-good musical, for many of a certain age, full of nostalgic references, many comic laughs, warm and likeable characters, and a happy ending. What is there not to like! If you were a fan of this classic sitcom, you will simply love Only Fools and Horses – The Musical, lovely jubbly.

Only Fools and Horses – The Musical is appearing all week at the Royal and Derngate until Saturday 7^th June 2025.

Picture Credit: Johan Persson